We are currently looking for participants to take part in our research study for our third year dissertation project. The study investigates how people adjust following distressing and traumatic life events. In particular, we are interested in the positive changes that can sometimes occur following stressful events. This is a relatively new area of research that is not yet well understood, but it has the potential to assist in developing strategies to help people cope with traumas in their life.

The study consists of an online questionnaire, which will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You are eligible to participate if you over 18 years of age, and have experienced a distressing or traumatic life event in the last 3 years. Examples of traumatic events are: Bereavement, serious illness, relationship/marriage breakdown, or any other event that you feel was challenging and traumatic in your life.

If you meet the above criteria, we would really appreciate it if you could take the time to complete our online questionnaire. You will be offered the option to enter into a prize draw, with 2 chances to win £25.

Further information regarding the research can be found in the Participant Information Sheet included.

You are being invited to take part in a research study which is being conducted at the University of Sussex. Before you decide whether you would like to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve.

Please take the time to read the following information.

What is the study about?

This study looks at how people cope with distressing and traumatic events. This research hopes to develop an increased understanding of how people adjust following stressful and traumatic life events.This is a relatively new area of research that is not yet well understood, but it has the potential to assist in developing strategies to help people cope with distressing life events.

Who can take part in the study?

Anyone can take part in this study if they are over 18 years old and have experienced or witnessed a distressing/traumatic life event within the past three years.

Do I have to take part?

It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part completion of the questionnaire will be taken as your consent. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. If you are a University of Sussex student, choosing to take part (or not take part) in this study will have no impact on your marks, assessments or future studies.

What does the study involve?

The study consists of an online questionnaire. You can do this in your own time.

First you will be asked some questions about the type of event that you have experienced and about yourself (e.g. your age, your ethnicity). The questionnaire itself will consist of a series of questions relating to how you coped with the stressful event, how you feel about the event, possible life changes since the event and any social support you receive.

The questionnaire should take approximately 30 minutes to complete and will be available online until March 2012.

Please note that this study is for research purposes only and shall be kept entirely confidential. We do not ask for your name or any identifying information so your questionnaire will be completely anonymous. No one, other than the researchers involved in the study, will see or have access to your questionnaire.

The prize-draw

At the end of the questionnaire we will offer you the opportunity to enter into our prize-draw to win one of two £25 cash prizes! We will need your email address so that we can contact you if you win. This is entirely optional and your email address will not be linked to your questionnaire so that your responses will remain anonymous. We will randomly select a winner from the list of submitted email addresses.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

There are no anticipated disadvantages of taking part in the study. Some people might find that completing the questionnaires raises feelings or issues that they would like to talk about. In this case you can call Dr Alexandra Sawyer on 01273 872547

What will happen to the results of the research?

The questionnaires will be analysed for themes that emerge from participantsí answers, and these findings will be written up as reports as part of our BSc Psychology degree. Any identifying information will be removed. As this is a new area of research, there is a possibility that these reports will be published in a scientific journal. A copy of the results can be sent to you if you wish to see them.

Contact for further information or assistance

The project has been approved by the School of Psychology Ethics Committee at the University of Sussex. If you have any further questions or would like assistance at any point during the study, please feel free to contact Alexandra Sawyer at the University of Sussex on 01273 872547 or email A.E.Sawyer@sussex.ac.uk.